Keep Stretching, Christians, Because There's Nothing Wrong with Yoga

A real head-scratcher came to us from prominent Baptist, Albert Mohler, this week, who insisted that Christians are not to engage in Yoga.  I thought my fellow Baptists had already condemned everything in the world, but we have managed to find something else to hate.

On his blog, Mohler explains that he came to this conviction after reading The Subtle Body by Stefanie Syman:

Syman describes yoga as a varied practice, but she makes clear that yoga cannot be fully extricated from its spiritual roots in Hinduism and Buddhism. She is also straightforward in explaining the role of sexual energy in virtually all forms of yoga and of ritualized sex in some yoga traditions. She also explains that yoga “is one of the first and most successful products of globalization, and it has augured a truly post-Christian, spiritually polyglot country.”

Can Yoga exercises be separated from Eastern religion?  They already are in American culture.  You can visit people in shopping malls who teach yoga that don't know the first thing about Eastern ideas of religion or meditation.  Yoga is certainly a strong religion, but the exercises that it brought to us have already been taken out of their religious context, and no one is forsaking their own religion when they stretch their calves and breath deeply.

Concerning sexual energy, there's nothing wrong with that.  In fact, the married people I know (myself included) are thankful that humans have sexual energy.  And the fact that Syman documents ritualized sex has nothing to do with an individual stretching out on a mat in their own home (unless those Yoga videos are more edgy then I think they are).  And it misrepresents Yoga, frankly; it's not good to malign every Yoga teacher by casting them as a pervert.

Finally, there's an argument in there about globalization.  It is really hip to hate globalization, but it doesn't really do anything for this conversation.  Yes, the globalizing of cultures brought Yoga to America.  But casting stones at globalization isn't helpful to a discussion about Yoga, unless the author thinks that cultures need to stop learning about each other.  There's nothing wrong with globalization.

Is America a post-Christian country?  Yes.  Is Yoga responsible?  No.  The seeds of post-Christianity were planted long before Yoga was introduced to the Western world, and without Yoga we would be in the same place, religiously.  The roots of post-Christianity go much deeper than any single religious movement.

So, in conclusion, don't throw away your Yoga mat.  You're not embracing another religion when you perform Yoga exercises any more than I embrace Charles Manson when I listen to the White Album.  Sure, these workouts came from a set of religious practices, but in America Yoga is mostly known for its fitness appeal and is only linked to religion by an individual's choice.  Keep stretching.

Here's How Politics Works

I've learned my observations about U.S. politics can be summed up in a simple dialog.  For example, a typical televised debate goes something like this:

Candidate 1: In an effort to help the economy, my plan calls for a certain decrease in these certain areas of spending so that core programs of importance, such as welfare and education, can be more strongly funded without raising taxes.  We hope to alleviate tax burdens while raising our level of support for the needy.

(No reaction from the Audience.  Crickets are heard.  The deafening roar of fluorescent lights fills every ear.)

Candidate 2: Last week, I met with an inner city school teacher who holds class in a large closet and teaches her students with outdated books.  It's time we gave back.  It's time we put students first.  (Crowd goes wild.)  LET'S STOP TAKING AND START GIVING!

TV Pundit:  America is shocked today to discover that Candidate 1 does not care about school teachers or underprivileged children.  In other news, the school teacher that Candidate 2 met with has become the star of a reality TV show centered around her dating life.  Her agent says that this is a 'big day for American politics.'

(No, those candidates don't correspond to any actual parties.  If I wanted to make fun of someone I would do so without smoke screens.)

Anyway, that's about my entire take on politics.  Years ago, I noticed that many conservatives were in favor of supporting Gen. Colin Powell, but they were horrified when I told them that he was pro-choice.  You see, the only thing they knew about him was he reminded them of James Earl Jones in a military suit.  (I'm not saying he would have been a bad president, but the reasoning for supporting him didn't go past his speech making ability.)  Unfortunately, people can be so impressed with the charisma of a good speaker that that they won't bother to understand the actual convictions and political ideals of that person.

"It is my opinion that this man is dead."

"Wow, he's a genius!"

Will it always be this way?  I'm skeptical, but I need to believe that one day my fellow Americans will judge a candidate by the content of their words and not just their presentation style.  Maybe we should have debates through email so that when they are published people will have to read them.  I can always dream, I suppose.

Baptizing Aliens - OK With Me

In an interesting announcement, Guy Consolmagno, the Pope's Astronomer, has said that he would be happy to baptize an alien.  He adds the stipulation that he would only do this if asked, because forced baptisms are a thing of the past (thank goodness).

Guy (seen left), is quite the progressive fellow in terms of science and faith, and I'm glad he's been public about this. It's been said in recent times by certain short-sighted individuals that it is "unChristian" to believe in the possibility of alien life, but that's not true. (I discussed this here, if you want to know more.)

I would like to see more people adopt his point of view. There's nothing in Scripture that denies alien life and there's no reason to arbitrarily decide that we must fight that notion. (Otherwise, if aliens landed we would all look pretty stupid.)  Sure, it's unlikely, but it's possible. And, it's even possible that these creatures could have souls and be favored by God. I know that's bizarre, but since it could happen we should be open to it.  TV shows like to assume that Christians would protest any ideas of aliens, but we need to shed that silly stereotype.

Of course, dunking aliens in water could backfire...

Theology Can Be (Sort Of) Funny

Since I'm in the middle of the busiest month of my life, to date, I haven't got the time to do an in-depth and critical analysis of some aspect of Christianity.  I don't even have time to write one of my typical entries where I just make fun of people and dress it up like legitimate blogging.  Sadly, I don't even have time to make fun of Dan Brown.

Actually, there's always time for some things..

But I can post some (sort of) funny stuff I found at The Sacred Sandwich website in an effort to appease your need for my blogging.  Or maybe an effort to appease my own need for my blogging to fill help me to feel accomplished in a puny effort to overcome my well-hidden feelings of inadequacy when faced with the staggering burden of the human condition.  Either way, I hope these make you laugh.  If so, go check out the rest of the comics.

IHOP Sues IHOP. Pancakes vs. Prayers. Syrup vs. Sinners.

The International House of Pancakes and the International House of Prayer are at a crossroads.  IHOPancakes is much older, and has put up with IHOPrayer stealing their acronym for a decade, but times are changing -  IHOPrayer is now serving food.  After a ten years of getting along, the IHOPancakes lawyers are taking the IHOPrayer to court.  According to the (I presume) well-fed-on-pancakes lawyers, trouble has come their way from the church:

But the chain, which has 1,476 restaurants across the country, claims it has six registered trademarks with the IHOP acronym and that the religious group’s use of the same four-letter logo causes, according to the lawsuit, “great and irreparable injury and confuses the public.”

"Confuses" the public?  I realize that some people aren't too bright (and you really shouldn't steal an acronym from a well-established business), but just how dumb does IHOPancakes think its customers are?

"Kids, look, it's IHOP!  Let's go there for pancakes!"

"But, Dad, that sign doesn't say anything about pancakes-"

"Do you want to lose front seat privileges?"

"No..."

Anyway, what really brought this story out, for me, was learning a thing or two about IHOPrayer.  Their project is to televise prayer twenty four hours a day, every day, on their website.  You can see what they are currently up to here.  (Currently, there's some very avant-garde worship music being performed.  It's really repetitive, but it's probably difficult to fill up an entire day.)  It reminds me of some Byzantine monasteries I've heard of that had monks praying aloud all hours of the day and night.  The IHOPrayer pastor has a history of promoting ministers who end up with poor reputations, but he's stayed out of controversy himself.

IHOPrayer probably could've done better than to use an acronym already widely in use, but I still hope this can be settled without nasty court battles.  The IHOPrayer keeps to itself and doesn't bother anyone, and probably doesn't deserve anyone's wrath.  Then again, college gave me fond memories of eat IHOP pancakes with my wife (before we were dating), so I might side with them if they offer me some free food.  I'm still a grad student, after all.

One of these is being built a block away from my apartment.  It's also next to the Guitar Center and around the corner from the largest Half-Priced bookstore.  I've decided I'm never moving.

Why Are You Burning the Koran?

This isn't a rhetorical question; I actually want an answer.  I want someone to tell me the logic that could compel you to light a book (any book) on fire.

Surely, you don't think this will keep the Koran from being read.  There are countless publications of the Koran and it's even online in many languages.  There's no way your local book burning can put a dent in the circulation of this book.  Also, as a historian I find the Koran to be a very useful tool for understanding Muslim cultures, and I certainly don't see a reason to burn it.

Some have said that they wish to burn the Koran because it's not a book they believe in.  You know, I feel that way about The DaVinci Code, but I'm not setting on fire.  I would be a very busy person if I lit up everything I didn't agree with.

So, please, someone answer me.  Is there anyone out there from Dove Outreach center or Westboro Church that can give me an answer?  I just don't get it.

(To my regular readers who are tired of hearing about this, I'm sorry.  I'll move on, soon.)

Good News - 'Burn a Koran Day' Has Been Canceled

 According to the Associated Press, Dr. Terry Jones has decided to back down from his hateful protest and is no longer planning to burn copies of the Koran, tomorrow.  This is good news; let's hope he doesn't change his mind.  Follow that link above for updates as this develops.

(via Dave Foulk on Facebook.)

UPDATE - Apparently, this now involves the infamous Ground Zero Mosque:

A Florida minister who had created an international furor with his plan to burn the Quran on the ninth anniversary of 9/11 canceled the event under intense pressure Thursday, saying he agreed to back off after reaching a deal to move the location of a controversial mosque near New York's ground zero. The imam planning the New York mosque said no such deal has been reached...

...After the news conference, Musri told The Associated Press there was an agreement for him and Jones to travel to New York and meet Saturday — on the actual anniversary of the 9/11 attacks — with the imam overseeing plans to build a mosque near ground zero.

"I told the pastor that I personally believe the mosque should not be there, and I will do everything in my power to make sure it is moved," Musri said. "But there is not any offer from there (New York) that it will be moved. All we have agreed to is a meeting, and I think we would all like to see a peaceful resolution."

Those who wish to criticize Christianity will remember this as the day that an unreasonable and hateful pastor was talked down by a level-headed Muslim leader.  Thanks, Dr. Terry Jones, for making all of us look bad.  I hope your time in the spotlight it was worth the black eye your giving Christians everywhere.  Sheesh.

UPDATE - We're not out of this, yet.  Westboro Baptist Church plans to burns Korans if Dr. Terry Jones' church doesn't.  (You know, in the old days the church had a way of dealing with these nuts so that they wouldn't make the rest of the church look bad.)  If Westboro Baptist Church sounds familiar to you, that's because all nine of them are famous for protesting at soldiers funerals - an action every other church was quick to condemn.  We just can't plug these holes fast enough.  Anyway, this is from the Westboro story:

"WBC burned the Koran once – and if you sissy brats of Doomed america bully Terry Jones and the Dove World Outreach Center until they change their plans to burn that blasphemous tripe called the Koran, then WBC will burn it (again), to clearly show you some things," the church announced in a news release this week.

Ah, the sophistry of the insane.  Stay tuned.

UPDATE:  The NY Imam says no deal.

Open Letter to Dr. Terry and Sylvia Jones Concerning the Burning of the Quran

To Dr. Terry and Sylvia Jones, and anyone else involved in what you call "International Burn a Quran Day."

    I have read about your intentions to burn copies of the Quran on September 11th, and I think that what you are doing is wrong.  On your website, you say that your goal is to "raise awareness" about the evils of that book, but this is not what will happen when you set those books on fire.  Instead, your disrespectful attitude toward your neighbors will be evident for all the world to see.   

    General Patreaus has begged you to stop this because he believes it will endanger the soldiers who are fighting in the middle east; even though you know about this you have decided to continue with your foolish plan.  Remarkable, you intend to place yourself above the needs of our men and women in uniform.  The church has a well-respected history of praying for the safety of our troops no matter what they are doing, but you are putting them in danger in order to make a hateful gesture.  The result will only be bloodshed.

     You said that you wish to make a statement and that you want Muslim terrorists to know that you will not be pushed around by them - but there are other ways to make such a statement.  You can encourage charitable outreach to Muslim communities to show that you are above the petty cultural hatred that these terrorists represent.  Also, you can proudly wave an American flag to show that your love for your country is not tarnished by acts of evil.  There are many ways to counter the hatred of terrorism, but burning books as a symbol is not one of them.

     Hatred only creates more hatred.  When you set fire to those books you will be sparking the flame of retaliation amongst Muslim terrorists - in fact, you already have.  The Islamic Defenders Front has vowed violent action if these books are burned, and if their retaliation costs the lives of our soldiers then the blood will be on your hands.  Instead, I urge you to remember the words of St. Francis, who said:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;

where there is hatred, let me show love;

where there is injury, pardon:

where there is doubt, faith...

     I am very angry about terrorists acts, just as you are.  It is important for us to stand up to those who will kill innocent civilians in order to further their ambitions, but burning their religious literature is not a way to solve the problem.

 -Adam Jones

www.ThinkingThroughChristianity.com

Friday Links - Nerf Guns, Stephen Hawking, and Remembering Katrina

Did you know that someone made a heat-seaking Nerf gun?  Well, they did.  And my office needs one.


According to Stephen Hawking, God was not needed to create the Universe.  I like Hawking, and I know he's a lot smarter then I'll ever be, but I'm not convinced by his recent argument.  He says that the Universe spontaneously created itself, and, religion aside, I just don't see how it's possible.  (And, I still think that A Brief History of Time is absolutely fascinating.)

Speaking of science stuff, apparently there's a star somewhere in our universe that is surrounded by water.  Cold water, in fact.  Check it out.  Could there be life in a floating ocean in space?  Very cool.


And, finally, it's been five years since Hurricane Katrina.  And it's been about that long since I paid attention to any mainstream news source.  At the time, I was learning how journalists pick a narrative and make sure every story sticks to it - stories that do not apply are ignored or changed.  Enter Katrina.  According to the media, the government did nothing for days after he hurricane hit, but that was a lie.  Government and private sector aid hit the ground hours later and began the cleanup process immediately.  The noble work of many brave people was ignored so that journalists could give us a sensational story.  The TV also told us about people firing guns at rescue helicopters and violent gangs roaming the streets and abducting women.  It wasn't true.  I haven't paid attention to mainstream news sources ever since.  (With the exception of celebrity news, I always know about things before most people hear about it on TV - often many days in advance.  Sometimes months in advance.)

Happy Labor Day Weekend!

Should Couples Live Together Before Getting Married? Good Question.

It's a hot button issue, these days.  Everyone who's anyone knows that living together is hip, and it shows just how postmodern and progressive you are.  Meanwhile, those who advocate waiting until marriage are seen as relics from the middle ages hanging on to outdated imperialist dogma.  But there's an important discussion to be had here, and since marriages are falling apart all over the place it's wise for us to learn how married couples can make it.

Those who prefer co-habitation will tell you that living together can help you get used to a person and decide if there is any reason you should not move forward in your relationship.  It's like testing the waters.  This seems logical. 

I could respond to that with this study I found over at ScienceBlog.com.  It found that couples that lived together before marriage had poorer communication skills than those who did not.  I'm not sure why, but it's always fun to quote studies.

Then there's this one, which found that there are higher divorce rates for couples who co-habitate before the wedding.  This is getting pretty serious; couples who live together first run a higher risk picking up bad communication skills and getting divorced.  Sounds dreary.

But, I really don't think we've gotten to the heart of the issue, yet.  Are you in love with someone so much so that you want to get married and form a lifelong relationship with them?  Do they feel the same about you?  Then living together is not necessary.  If you and your significant other are prepared to enter into such a serious commitment, then nothing you learn in cohabitation is going to change your mind.  Do you think that such strong feelings could be swept away once you learn that the other person scrapes their toast, or watches dumb TV shows?  Does true love yield to snoring and leaving the dishes for too long?  Will you turn your back on your loved one when you realize that they like to watch movies with the subtitles on?

 If they had lived together before getting married he would have known that she collected mud in large jars.  This guy totally blew it.

So if you want to get married, there's no need to debate co-habitation.  There are few (if any) new things you will learn about someone when moving in, and if you're in it for the long haul none of it will matter.  By the time you're ready to make your relationship permanent you will already know the other person well enough to know if you can live with them.